Article carrying shoulder straps and designs

ABSTRACT

Article-carrying straps and sashes are improved by providing an interlocking buckle structure that is ornamentally decorative. In preferred embodiments the buckle structure includes a plate and receiving aperture which are in the form of a regular geometric shape such as a circle, oval, square, rectangular, or star shape. Irregular plates and apertures may alternatively be used.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to shoulder straps, and the like, andin particular, to a shoulder strap including article-carrying pockets orpouches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The idea of a shoulder-worn article including one or more pockets orpouches to carry personal items has been around for quite some time. Inearly example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,128,149, which shows asash-worn strap including multiple pockets and a buckle alongside theindividual's body for interconnection and removal.

The idea of a shoulder-worn strap with one or more pockets or pouches tocarry personal items and a weight to keep the article in position isalso not new. For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,084 shows a shoulder straphaving at least one pocket to carry personal items, the strap beingconnected to a piece of luggage that functions as a counterweight. Aswith a purse or other shoulder-worn item or apparel, clearly devices ofthis kind may be worn over either shoulder, including sashconfigurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention improves upon existing article-carrying straps and sashesby providing an interlocking buckle structure that is ornamentallydecorative. In preferred embodiments the buckle structure includes aplate and receiving aperture which are in the form of a regulargeometric shape such as a circle, oval, square, rectangular, or starshape. Irregular plates and apertures may alternatively be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified drawing providing an overview of the preferredembodiments disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a drawing which shows the preferred buckle configurationaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a drawing that illustrates an alternative buckle;

FIG. 4 is a drawing that illustrates a starburst design;

FIG. 5 is a drawing that depicts a mase design; and

FIG. 6 is a drawing that shows a cross configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram that showsthe way in which the various embodiments of this invention arepreferably configured about a person 100. Broadly, the inventionincludes a strap of material 102, that may be dressed over eithershoulder, including one or more pockets 104 mounted into or onto thestrap and some form of buckle structure 110 described in further detailwith respect to accompanying drawings. Although the straps according tothe invention may be worn straight down from either shoulder in thepreferred embodiment, a sash-worn configuration is preferred, with thebuckle structures being adaptable to either side of the wearer.

FIG. 2 is a drawing that shows a preferred embodiment of the invention,wherein one end of a strap 102 is connected by way of a coupling 214 toa plate 212 having an aperture 213 in communication with a V-shapedgroove. The other end of the strap 102 is connected through a coupling218 to another post 220. The diameter of the post 216, 220 are such thatthey may fit into the aperture 213 in plate 212, and slide upwardly withthe surface 215 facing downward while retaining both ends of strap 102in position as shown.

FIG. 3 is a drawing which shows an alternative embodiment, wherein oneend of the strap includes a plate with a rectangular aperture 304,whereas the other end of the strap includes a T-shaped feature, with thecrossbar of the T being physically configured to fit into the aperture304, at which point the ends are turned, locking the configuration intoposition.

FIG. 4 shows another configuration wherein one end of the strap includesthe first portion of a star shape, and the other portion includes aplate that receives that star shape, such that when turned evenslightly, the halves cannot come apart. FIG. 5 shows a variation on thestarburst configuration in the form of a mase. FIG. 6 shows yet afurther alternative embodiment, wherein one end of the strap includes across-shaped member which is received by a cross-shaped aperture and aplate connected to the other end of the strap.

In terms of construction, the strap may be any appropriate flexiblematerial, including leather, canvas or other fabrics, or plastic orother synthetics. The buckle is preferably made of metal, includingaluminum, stainless steel, iron, or precious metals.

1. An article-carrying shoulder strap, comprising: a strap of materialhaving first and second ends; at least one article carrier mounted on orto the strap; first and second buckle portions respectively associatedwith the first and second ends of the material; the first buckle portionincluding a plate; and the second buckle portion including an apertureto receive the plate in interlocking fashion.
 2. The article-carryingshoulder strap of claim 1, wherein the plate and aperture are regulargeometric shapes.
 3. The article-carrying shoulder strap of claim 1,wherein the plate and aperture are circular, oval, square, rectangular,or star-shaped.
 4. The article-carrying shoulder strap of claim 1,wherein the first and second buckle portions are metal.
 5. Thearticle-carrying shoulder strap of claim 1, further including a slotextending outwardly from the aperture.